PEDIATRICS Vol. 48 No. 3 September 1971, pp. 457-458
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Splenomegaly with Hypersplenism in Sickle Cell Anemia Treated by Radiation—Case Report

Annemarie Sommer M.D.1 and Stella B. Kontras M.D.1

1 Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University, Children's Hospital, 561 South Seventeenth Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205

The incidence of splenomegaly in sickle cell anemia (defined as a spleen easily palpated below the costal margin in quiet respiration) appears to be around 10% after 10 years of age. Persistent splenomegaly in older children is rare and frequently is associated with hypersplenism. Splenectomy has been the treatment of choice in several reported cases based on red cell survival studies before and after splenectomy.1-3 Removal of the spleen has been found to be associated with marked improvement of previously very shortened red cell survival.

We want to report the case of a 12-year-old boy with sickle cell anemia, splenomegaly, and sickle cell heart disease who was treated by radiation therapy for his enlarged spleen because of hypersplenism.